‘To tell you the truth, Mr. Fairford, the cause of our desire to delay you is—there is a religious gentleman in this house at present’—
‘A most excellent person indeed’—said the sister Angelica.
‘An anointed of his Master!’ echoed Seraphina,—‘and we should be glad that, for conscience’ sake, you would hold some discourse with him before your departure.’
‘Oho!’ thought Fairford, ‘the murder is out—here is a design of conversion! I must not affront the good ladies, but I shall soon send off the priest, I think.’ He then answered aloud, ‘that he should be happy to converse with any friend of theirs—that in religious matters he had the greatest respect for every modification of Christianity, though, he must say, his belief was made up to that in which he had been educated; nevertheless, if his seeing the religious person they recommended could in the least show his respect’—
‘It is not quite that,’ said Sister Seraphina, ‘although I am sure the day is too short to hear him—Father Buonaventure, I mean—speak upon the concerns of our souls; but’—
‘Come, come, Sister Seraphina,’ said the younger, ‘it is needless to talk so much about it. His—his Eminence—I mean Father Buonaventure—will himself explain what he wants this gentleman to know.’
‘His Eminence!’ said Fairford, surprised—‘is this gentleman so high in the Catholic Church? The title is given only to Cardinals, I think.’
‘He is not a Cardinal as yet,’ answered Seraphina; ‘but I assure you, Mr. Fairford, he is as high in rank as he is eminently endowed with good gifts, and’—
‘Come away,’ said Sister Angelica. ‘Holy Virgin, how you do talk! What has Mr. Fairford to do with Father Buonaventure’s rank? Only, sir, you will remember that the Father has been always accustomed to be treated with the most profound deference; indeed’—
‘Come away, sister,’ said Sister Seraphina, in her turn; ‘who talks now, I pray you? Mr. Fairford will know how to comport himself.’